Satrack

Satrack is basically an acronym for satellite tracking system which uses a GPS i.e Global Positioning System for sending the signals to the missile launched in the space.

This seminar deals with the measurement concept that tests the missile accuracy. SATRACK receives, rebroadcast, records and tracks the satellite signals sent by the GPS signals. The reception and rebroadcast of the signals is done by a missile hardware called the GPS translator. The ground telemetry stations consist of the RF antenna and recorders for the data. Post-flight processing and modelling are done later at the SATRACK Facility. Also the major error contributors to the missile flight are determined by the modelling done. There is extensive use of simulated signals in this method. This seminar also throws light on the major breakthrough technologies that were developed during the research leading up to the final form of this technology.

According to the dictionary guidance is the ‘process of guiding the path of an object towards a given point, which in general may be moving’. The process of guidance is based on the position and velocity if the target relative to the guided object. The present day ballistic missiles are all guided using the global positioning system or GPS.GPS uses satellites as instruments for sending signals to the missile during flight and to guide it to the target. SATRACK is a system that was developed to provide an evaluation methodology for the guidance system of the ballistic missiles.

This was developed as a comprehensive test and evaluation program to validate the integrated weapons system design for nuclear powered submarines launched ballistic missiles .This is based on the tracking signals received at the missile from the GPS satellites. SATRACK has the ability to receive record, rebroadcast and track the satellite signals.

SATRACK facility also has the great advantage that the whole data obtained from the test flights can be used to obtain a guidance error model. The recorded data along with the simulation data from the models can produce a comprehensive guidance error model. This will result in the solution that is the best flight path for the missile.